Choice of commuting mode among employees: Do home neighborhood environment, worksite neighborhood environment, and worksite policy and supports matter?

Abstract

Background Promoting the use of public transit and active transport (walking and cycling) instead of car driving is an appealing strategy to increase overall physical activity. Purpose To quantify the combined associations between self-reported home and worksite neighborhood environments, worksite support and policies, and employees’ commuting modes. Method Between 2012 and 2013, participants residing in four Missouri metropolitan areas were interviewed via telephone (n = 1,338) and provided information on socio-demographic characteristics, home and worksite neighborhoods, and worksite support and policies. Commuting mode was self-reported and categorized into car driving, public transit, and active commuting. Commuting distance was calculated using geographic information systems. Commuters providing completed data were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the correlates of using public transit and active commuting. Result The majority of participants reported commuting by driving (88.9%); only 4.9% used public transit and 6.2% used active modes. After multivariate adjustment, having transit stops within 10-15 minutes walking distance from home (p=0.05) and using worksite incentive for public transit (p<0.001) were associated with commuting by public transit. Commuting distance (p<0.001) was negatively associated with active commuting. Having free or low cost recreation facilities around the worksite (p=0.04) and using bike facilities to lock bikes at the worksite (p<0.001) were associated with active commuting. Conclusion Both environment features and worksite supports and policies are associated with the choice of commuting mode. Future studies should use longitudinal designs to investigate the potential of promoting alternative commuting modes through worksite efforts that support sustainable commuting behaviors as well as the potential of built environment improvements.

“Can we walk?” Environmental supports for physical activity in India

“…NEWS item scoring and subscale score calculations followed the NEWS-Adult scoring scheme recommended by the IPEN study protocol. 52,53,139 Four-point Likert-type scale response options for all NEWS-India items ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) were combined as "agree" (strongly agree, agree) and "disagree" (disagree, strongly disagree). All NEWS-India items were positively scored to ensure that a higher score denotes a more walkable/activity-friendly neighborhood.…”

“…11,24,40,49 Studies have consistently found associations between mixed land-use neighborhoods, reduced motor vehicle use, increases in walking, bicycling, and transit use, and a lower likelihood of obesity among residents. 24,47,[50][51][52][53] However, studies examining PA and BE associations thus far have been primarily limited to North America, Europe, Australia, and South America. [54][55][56] Findings from these studies may not generalize to other parts of the world, particularly LMICs like India where populations face a higher NCD risk.…”

“…Adjusted for age and gender ~ NEWS item scoring and subscale score calculations followed the NEWS-Adult scoring scheme recommended by the IPEN study protocol. 52,53,139 All NEWS subscales were dichotomized. Residential density was dichotomized into low (weighted mean ≤ 545) and high (weighted mean > 545) densities.…”

Considering Spatial Factors in Promoting Active, Healthy Commuting

“…Adams et al (2016) found that the perception of a walkable environment around the workplace stimulates higher levels of active commuting. Yang et al (2015) investigated the combination of spatial variables and worksite incentives. Free or discounted PT tickets and recreational facilities at the worksite had the greatest effect on PT use and active mobility.…”

An Examination of the Influences on Active Commuting among a Sample of Parents

“…There is abundant research documenting environmental factors that influence AC participation, including having a shorter commute, living in a neighborhood with connected streets, and worksite supports (e.g. schedule, showers, locker rooms, bike parking) [17,27,28,29,30]. It is important to acknowledge the factors that prevent or motivate adults to AC to further intervene on this behavior in the future.…”